I 

112TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1537 

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, 

and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 14, 2011 

Mr. NADLER (for himself, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. FRANK of 

Massachusetts, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. POLIS, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. CONYERS, 

Ms. PELOSI, Mr. HOYER, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. HONDA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, 

Mr. ACKERMAN, Ms. BASS of California, Mr. BECERRA, Ms. BERKLEY, 

Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. BRADY

of Pennsylvania, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. 

CASTOR of Florida, Ms. CHU, Mr. CLAY, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. 

CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. CROWLEY, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. 

DEFAZIO, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. 

ELLISON, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. FARR, Mr. FILNER, Mr. 

GRIJALVA, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. HIMES, Mr. 

HINCHEY, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HOLT, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, 

Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Ms. LEE of 

California, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mrs. LOWEY, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. 

MATSUI, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. 

MEEKS, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Ms. MOORE, Mr. MORAN, 

Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. NORTON, Mr. OLVER, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. 

PALLONE, Mr. PASTOR of Arizona, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. PRICE

of North Carolina, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. 

ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. RUSH, Ms. LINDA

T. SA ́NCHEZ of California, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. 

SERRANO, Mr. SIRES, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. 

STARK, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. TSONGAS, Ms. WASSERMAN

SCHULTZ, Ms. WATERS, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. WEINER, Mr. WELCH, Ms. 

WOOLSEY, Mr. WU, Mr. TONKO, and Mr. COURTNEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 


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A BILL 

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote 

family unity, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION 

4 AND NATIONALITY ACT. 

5 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 

6 ‘‘Uniting American Families Act of 2011’’. 

7 (b) AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION AND NATION8 ALITY ACT.—Except as otherwise specifically provided, 

9 whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed 

10 as the amendment or repeal of a section or other provision, 

11 the reference shall be considered to be made to that sec12 tion or provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

13 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS OF PERMANENT PARTNER AND PER14 MANENT PARTNERSHIP. 

15 Section 101(a) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended— 

16 (1) in paragraph (15)(K)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 

17 permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 

18 (2) by adding at the end the following: 

19 ‘‘(52) The term ‘permanent partner’ means an 

20 individual 18 years of age or older who— 

21 ‘‘(A) is in a committed, intimate relation22 ship with another individual 18 years of age or 


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1 older in which both parties intend a lifelong 

2 commitment; 

3 ‘‘(B) is financially interdependent with 

4 that other individual; 

5 ‘‘(C) is not married to or in a permanent 

6 partnership with anyone other than that other 

7 individual; 

8 ‘‘(D) is unable to contract with that other 

9 individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; 

10 and 

11 ‘‘(E) is not a first, second, or third degree 

12 blood relation of that other individual. 

13 ‘‘(53) The term ‘permanent partnership’ means 

14 the relationship that exists between two permanent 

15 partners. 

16 ‘‘(54) The term ‘alien permanent partner’ 

17 means the individual in a permanent partnership 

18 who is being sponsored for a visa’’. 

19 SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF CHILD. 

20 (a) TITLES I AND II.—Section 101(b)(1) (8 U.S.C. 

21 1101(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the fol22 lowing: 

23 ‘‘(H)(i) a biological child of an alien permanent 

24 partner if the child was under the age of 18 at the 

25 time the permanent partnership was formed; or 


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1 ‘‘(ii) a child adopted by an alien permanent 

2 partner while under the age of 16 years if the child 

3 has been in the legal custody of, and has resided 

4 with, such adoptive parent for at least 2 years and 

5 if the child was under the age of 18 at the time the 

6 permanent partnership was formed.’’. 

7 (b) TITLE III.—Section 101(c) (8 U.S.C. 1101(c)) 

8 is amended— 

9 (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or as de10 scribed in subsection (b)(1)(H)’’ after ‘‘The term 

11 ‘child’ means an unmarried person under twenty-one 

12 years of age’’; and 

13 (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or a de14 ceased permanent partner of the deceased parent, 

15 father, or mother,’’ after ‘‘deceased parent, father, 

16 and mother’’. 

17 SEC. 4. WORLDWIDE LEVEL OF IMMIGRATION. 

18 Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)) 

19 is amended— 

20 (1) by inserting ‘‘permanent partners,’’ after 

21 ‘‘spouses,’’; 

22 (2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 

23 ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; 

24 (3) by inserting ‘‘(or, in the case of a perma25 nent partnership, whose permanent partnership was 


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1 not terminated)’’ after ‘‘was not legally separated 

2 from the citizen’’; and 

3 (4) by striking ‘‘remarries.’’ and inserting ‘‘re4 marries or enters a permanent partnership with an5 other person.’’. 

6 SEC. 5. NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL FOR7 EIGN STATES. 

8 (a) PER COUNTRY LEVELS.—Section 202(a)(4) (8 

9 U.S.C. 1152(a)(4)) is amended— 

10 (1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘, PERMANENT

11 PARTNERS,’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’; 

12 (2) in the heading of subparagraph (A), by in13 serting ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’ after 

14 ‘‘SPOUSES’’; and 

15 (3) in the heading of subparagraph (C), by 

16 striking ‘‘AND DAUGHTERS’’ inserting ‘‘WITHOUT

17 PERMANENT PARTNERS AND UNMARRIED DAUGH18 TERS WITHOUT PERMANENT PARTNERS’’. 

19 (b) RULES FOR CHARGEABILITY.—Section 202(b)(2) 

20 (8 U.S.C. 1152(b)(2)) is amended— 

21 (1) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 

22 ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

23 (2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partners’’ after 

24 ‘‘husband and wife’’. 


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1 SEC. 6. ALLOCATION OF IMMIGRANT VISAS. 

2 (a) PREFERENCE ALLOCATION FOR FAMILY MEM3 BERS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIENS.—Section 

4 203(a)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(2)) is amended— 

5 (1) in the heading— 

6 (A) by striking ‘‘AND’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’ 

7 and inserting ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’; and 

8 (B) by inserting ‘‘WITHOUT PERMANENT

9 PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SONS’’ and after ‘‘DAUGH10 TERS’’; 

11 (2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, perma12 nent partners,’’ after ‘‘spouses’’; and 

13 (3) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘without 

14 permanent partners’’ after ‘‘sons’’ and after ‘‘daugh15 ters’’. 

16 (b) PREFERENCE ALLOCATION FOR SONS AND

17 DAUGHTERS OF CITIZENS.—Section 203(a)(3) (8 U.S.C. 

18 1153(a)(3)) is amended— 

19 (1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘AND DAUGH20 TERS AND SONS WITH PERMANENT PARTNERS’’ after 

21 ‘‘DAUGHTERS’’; and 

22 (2) by inserting ‘‘, or daughters or sons with 

23 permanent partners,’’ after ‘‘daughters’’. 

24 (c) EMPLOYMENT CREATION.—Section 

25 203(b)(5)(A)(ii) (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5)(A)(ii)) is amended 

26 by inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 


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1 (d) TREATMENT OF FAMILY MEMBERS.—Section 

2 203(d) (8 U.S.C. 1153(d)) is amended— 

3 (1) by inserting ‘‘, permanent partner,’’ after 

4 ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

5 (2) by striking ‘‘or (E)’’ and inserting ‘‘(E), or 

6 (H)’’. 

7 SEC. 7. PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING IMMIGRANT STATUS. 

8 (a) CLASSIFICATION PETITIONS.—Section 204(a)(1) 

9 (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)) is amended— 

10 (1) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 

11 permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

12 (2) in subparagraph (A)(iii)— 

13 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

14 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

15 (B) in subclause (I), by inserting ‘‘or per16 manent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each 

17 place it appears; 

18 (3) in subparagraph (A)(v)(I), by inserting 

19 ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘is the spouse,’’; 

20 (4) in subparagraph (A)(vi)— 

21 (A) by inserting ‘‘or termination of the 

22 permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘divorce’’; and 

23 (B) by inserting ‘‘, permanent partner,’’ 

24 after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

25 (5) in subparagraph (B)— 


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1 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

2 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; 

3 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner4 ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ in clause (ii)(I)(aa) and 

5 the first place it appears in clause (ii)(I)(bb); 

6 and 

7 (C) in clause (ii)(II)(aa)(CC)(bbb), by in8 serting ‘‘(or the termination of the permanent 

9 partnership)’’ after ‘‘termination of the mar10 riage’’. 

11 (b) IMMIGRATION FRAUD PREVENTION.—Section 

12 204(c) (8 U.S.C. 1154(c)) is amended— 

13 (1) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 

14 ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

15 (2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ 

16 after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears. 

17 (c) RESTRICTIONS ON PETITIONS BASED ON MAR18 RIAGES ENTERED WHILE IN EXCLUSION OR DEPORTA19 TION PROCEEDINGS.—Section 204(g) (8 U.S.C. 1154(g)) 

20 is amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ after 

21 ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears. 

22 (d) SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS TO PETITION.—Section 

23 204(h) (8 U.S.C. 1154(h)) is amended— 

24 (1) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ 

25 after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears; and 


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1 (2) by inserting ‘‘or formation of a new perma2 nent partnership’’ after ‘‘Remarriage’’. 

3 SEC. 8. ANNUAL ADMISSION OF REFUGEES AND ADMISSION 

4 OF EMERGENCY SITUATION REFUGEES. 

5 Section 207(c) (8 U.S.C. 1157(c) is amended— 

6 (1) in paragraph (2)— 

7 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

8 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; 

9 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’s’’ 

10 after ‘‘spouse’s’’; and 

11 (C) in subparagraph (A)— 

12 (i) by striking ‘‘or’’ after ‘‘(D),’’; and 

13 (ii) by inserting ‘‘, or (H)’’ after 

14 ‘‘(E)’’; and 

15 (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘or perma16 nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse.’’. 

17 SEC. 9. ASYLUM. 

18 Section 208(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(3)) is amend19 ed— 

20 (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘OR

21 PERMANENT PARTNER’’ after ‘‘SPOUSE’’; 

22 (2) in subparagraph (A)— 

23 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

24 after ‘‘spouse’’; 

25 (B) by striking ‘‘or’’ after ‘‘(D),’’; and 


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1 (C) by inserting ‘‘, or (H)’’ after ‘‘(E)’’. 

2 SEC. 10. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF REFUGEES. 

3 Section 209(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1159(b)(3)) is amended 

4 by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

5 SEC. 11. INADMISSIBLE ALIENS. 

6 (a) CLASSES OF ALIENS INELIGIBLE FOR VISAS OR

7 ADMISSION.—Section 212(a) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) is 

8 amended— 

9 (1) in paragraph (3)(D)(iv), by inserting ‘‘per10 manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; 

11 (2) in paragraph (4)(C)(i)(I), by inserting ‘‘, 

12 permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

13 (3) in paragraph (6)(E)(ii), by inserting ‘‘per14 manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; and 

15 (4) in paragraph (9)(B)(v), by inserting ‘‘, per16 manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

17 (b) WAIVERS.—Section 212(d) (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)) is 

18 amended— 

19 (1) in paragraph (11), by inserting ‘‘permanent 

20 partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; and 

21 (2) in paragraph (12), by inserting ‘‘, perma22 nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

23 (c) WAIVERS OF INADMISSIBILITY ON HEALTH-RE24 LATED GROUNDS.—Section 212(g)(1)(A) (8 U.S.C. 


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1 1182(g)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent 

2 partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

3 (d) WAIVERS OF INADMISSIBILITY ON CRIMINAL AND

4 RELATED GROUNDS.—Section 212(h)(1)(B) (8 U.S.C. 

5 1182(h)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting ‘‘permanent part6 ner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 

7 (e) WAIVER OF INADMISSIBILITY FOR MISREPRESEN8 TATION.—Section 212(i)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(i)(1)) is 

9 amended by inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after 

10 ‘‘spouse,’’. 

11 SEC. 12. NONIMMIGRANT STATUS FOR PERMANENT PART12 NERS AWAITING THE AVAILABILITY OF AN 

13 IMMIGRANT VISA. 

14 Section 214 (8 U.S.C. 1184) is amended— 

15 (1) in subsection (e)(2), by inserting ‘‘or per16 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

17 (2) in subsection (r)— 

18 (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or per19 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

20 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner21 ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears. 

22 SEC. 13. DERIVATIVE STATUS FOR PERMANENT PARTNERS 

23 OF NONIMMIGRANT VISA HOLDERS. 

24 Section 101(a)(15) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) is amend25 ed— 


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1 (1) in subparagraph (A)— 

2 (A) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘, which 

3 shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘imme4 diate family’’; 

5 (B) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘, which 

6 shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘imme7 diate families’’; and 

8 (C) in clause (iii), by inserting ‘‘, which 

9 shall include permanent partners,’’ after ‘‘im10 mediate families,’’; 

11 (2) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ‘‘or per12 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

13 (3) in subparagraph (F)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 

14 permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

15 (4) in subparagraph (G)(i), by inserting ‘‘, 

16 which shall include his or her permanent partner’’ 

17 after ‘‘members of his or their immediate family’’; 

18 (5) in subparagraph (G)(ii), by inserting ‘‘, 

19 which shall include permanent partners,’’ after ‘‘the 

20 members of their immediate families’’; 

21 (6) in subparagraph (G)(iii), by inserting ‘‘, 

22 which shall include his permanent partner,’’ after 

23 ‘‘the members of his immediate family’’; 


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1 (7) in subparagraph (G)(iv), by inserting ‘‘, 

2 which shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘the 

3 members of their immediate families’’; 

4 (8) in subparagraph (G)(v), by inserting ‘‘, 

5 which shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘the 

6 members of the immediate families’’; 

7 (9) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ‘‘or per8 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

9 (10) in subparagraph (I), by inserting ‘‘or per10 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

11 (11) in subparagraph (J), by inserting ‘‘or per12 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

13 (12) in subparagraph (L), by inserting ‘‘or per14 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

15 (13) in subparagraph (M)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 

16 permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

17 (14) in subparagraph (O)(iii), by inserting ‘‘or 

18 permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

19 (15) in subparagraph (P)(iv), by inserting ‘‘or 

20 permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

21 (16) in subparagraph (Q)(ii)(II), by inserting 

22 ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

23 (17) in subparagraph (R), by inserting ‘‘or per24 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 


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1 (18) in subparagraph (S), by inserting ‘‘or per2 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

3 (19) in subparagraph (T)(ii)(I), by inserting 

4 ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

5 (20) in subparagraph (T)(ii)(II), by inserting 

6 ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

7 (21) in subparagraph (U)(ii)(I), by inserting 

8 ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

9 (22) in subparagraph (U)(ii)(II), by inserting 

10 ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

11 (23) in subparagraph (V), by inserting ‘‘perma12 nent partner or’’ after ‘‘beneficiary (including a’’. 

13 SEC. 14. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 

14 FOR CERTAIN ALIEN SPOUSES, PERMANENT 

15 PARTNERS, AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS. 

16 (a) SECTION HEADING.— 

17 (1) IN GENERAL.—The heading for section 216 

18 (8 U.S.C. 1186a) is amended by inserting ‘‘AND

19 PERMANENT PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’. 

20 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of con21 tents is amended by amending the item relating to 

22 section 216 to read as follows: 

‘‘Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien spouses and 

permanent partners and sons and daughters.’’. 

23 (b) IN GENERAL.—Section 216(a) (8 U.S.C. 

24 1186a(a)) is amended— 


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1 (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or perma2 nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

3 (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘or per4 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

5 (3) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ‘‘perma6 nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; and 

7 (4) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘perma8 nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 

9 (c) TERMINATION OF STATUS IF FINDING THAT

10 QUALIFYING MARRIAGE IMPROPER.—Section 216(b) of 

11 such Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a(b)) is amended— 

12 (1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘OR PERMA13 NENT PARTNERSHIP’’ after ‘‘MARRIAGE’’; 

14 (2) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘or per15 manent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 

16 (3) in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)— 

17 (A) by inserting ‘‘or has ceased to satisfy 

18 the criteria for being considered a permanent 

19 partnership under this Act,’’ after ‘‘termi20 nated,’’; and 

21 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

22 after ‘‘spouse’’. 

23 (d) REQUIREMENTS OF TIMELY PETITION AND

24 INTERVIEW FOR REMOVAL OF CONDITION.—Section 

25 216(c) (8 U.S.C. 1186a(c)) is amended— 


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1 (1) in paragraphs (1), (2)(A)(ii), (3)(A)(ii), 

2 (3)(C), (4)(B), and (4)(C), by inserting ‘‘or perma3 nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; 

4 and 

5 (2) in paragraph (3)(A), in the matter following 

6 clause (ii), and in paragraph (3)(D), (4)(B), and 

7 (4)(C), by inserting ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ 

8 after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears. 

9 (e) CONTENTS OF PETITION.—Section 216(d)(1) of 

10 such Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a(d)(1)) is amended— 

11 (1) in the heading of subparagraph (A), by in12 serting ‘‘OR PERMANENT PARTNERSHIP’’ after ‘‘MAR13 RIAGE’’; 

14 (2) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ‘‘or 

15 permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; 

16 (3) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by inserting be17 fore the comma at the end ‘‘, or is a permanent 

18 partnership recognized under this Act’’; 

19 (4) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II)— 

20 (A) by inserting ‘‘or has not ceased to sat21 isfy the criteria for being considered a perma22 nent partnership under this Act,’’ after ‘‘termi23 nated,’’; and 

24 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

25 after ‘‘spouse’’; 


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1 (5) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 

2 permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

3 (6) in subparagraph (B)(i)— 

4 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner5 ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 

6 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

7 after ‘‘spouse’’. 

8 (f) DEFINITIONS.—Section 216(g) (8 U.S.C. 

9 1186a(g)) is amended— 

10 (1) in paragraph (1)— 

11 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

12 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

13 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner14 ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears; 

15 (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or perma16 nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; 

17 (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or perma18 nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 

19 (4) in paragraph (4)— 

20 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

21 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

22 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner23 ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’. 


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1 SEC. 15. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 

2 FOR CERTAIN ALIEN ENTREPRENEURS, 

3 SPOUSES, PERMANENT PARTNERS, AND CHIL4 DREN. 

5 (a) SECTION HEADING.— 

6 (1) IN GENERAL.—The heading for section 

7 216A (8 U.S.C. 1186b) is amended by inserting ‘‘OR

8 PERMANENT PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’. 

9 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of con10 tents is amended by amending the item relating to 

11 section 216A to read as follows: 

‘‘Sec. 216A. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses or permanent partners, and children.’’. 

12 (b) IN GENERAL.—Section 216A(a) (8 U.S.C. 

13 1186b(a)) is amended, in paragraphs (1), (2)(A), (2)(B), 

14 and (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 

15 ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 

16 (c) TERMINATION OF STATUS IF FINDING THAT

17 QUALIFYING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IMPROPER.—Section 

18 216A(b)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(b)(1)) is amended by insert19 ing ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ in the matter 

20 following subparagraph (C). 

21 (d) REQUIREMENTS OF TIMELY PETITION AND

22 INTERVIEW FOR REMOVAL OF CONDITION.—Section 

23 216A(c) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(c)) is amended, in paragraphs 


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1 (1), (2)(A)(ii), and (3)(C), by inserting ‘‘or permanent 

2 partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

3 (e) DEFINITIONS.—Section 216A(f)(2) (8 U.S.C. 

4 1186b(f)(2)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent part5 ner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 

6 SEC. 16. DEPORTABLE ALIENS. 

7 Section 237(a) of the Immigration and Nationality 

8 Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)) is amended— 

9 (1) in paragraph (1)(D)(i), by inserting ‘‘or 

10 permanent partners’’ after ‘‘spouses’’ each place it 

11 appears; 

12 (2) in paragraphs (1)(E)(ii), (1)(E)(iii), and 

13 (1)(H)(i)(I), by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

14 after ‘‘spouse’’; 

15 (3) by adding at the end of paragraph (1) the 

16 following new subparagraph: 

17 ‘‘(I) PERMANENT PARTNERSHIP FRAUD.— 

18 An alien shall be considered to be deportable as 

19 having procured a visa or other documentation 

20 by fraud (within the meaning of section 

21 212(a)(6)(C)(i)) and to be in the United States 

22 in violation of this Act (within the meaning of 

23 subparagraph (B)) if— 

24 ‘‘(i) the alien obtains any admission to 

25 the United States with an immigrant visa 


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1 or other documentation procured on the 

2 basis of a permanent partnership entered 

3 into less than 2 years prior to such admis4 sion and which, within 2 years subsequent 

5 to such admission, is terminated because 

6 the criteria for permanent partnership are 

7 no longer fulfilled, unless the alien estab8 lishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary 

9 of Homeland Security that such permanent 

10 partnership was not contracted for the 

11 purpose of evading any provisions of the 

12 immigration laws; or 

13 ‘‘(ii) it appears to the satisfaction of 

14 the Secretary of Homeland Security that 

15 the alien has failed or refused to fulfill the 

16 alien’s permanent partnership which in the 

17 opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Se18 curity was made for the purpose of pro19 curing the alien’s admission as an immi20 grant.’’; and 

21 (4) in paragraphs (2)(E)(i) and (3)(C)(ii), by 

22 inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ 

23 each place it appears. 

24 SEC. 17. REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS. 

25 Section 240 (8 U.S.C. 1229a) is amended— 


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1 (1) in the heading of subsection (c)(7)(C)(iv), 

2 by inserting ‘‘PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’ after 

3 ‘‘SPOUSES,’’; and 

4 (2) in subsection (e)(1), by inserting ‘‘or per5 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

6 SEC. 18. CANCELLATION OF REMOVAL; ADJUSTMENT OF 

7 STATUS. 

8 Section 240A(b) (8 U.S.C. 1229b(b)) is amended— 

9 (1) in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting ‘‘or per10 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

11 (2) in the heading for paragraph (2), by insert12 ing ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNER,’’ after ‘‘SPOUSE’’; and 

13 (3) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, perma14 nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 

15 SEC. 19. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF NONIMMIGRANT TO 

16 THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR PERMA17 NENT RESIDENCE. 

18 (a) PROHIBITION ON ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.— 

19 Section 245(d) (8 U.S.C. 1255(d)) is amended by insert20 ing ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’. 

21 (b) AVOIDING IMMIGRATION FRAUD.—Section 245(e) 

22 (8 U.S.C. 1255(e)) is amended— 

23 (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or perma24 nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 


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1 (2) by adding at the end the following new 

2 paragraph: 

3 ‘‘(4) Paragraph (1) and section 204(g) shall not 

4 apply with respect to a permanent partnership if the alien 

5 establishes by clear and convincing evidence to the satis6 faction of the Secretary of Homeland Security that the 

7 permanent partnership was entered into in good faith and 

8 in accordance with section 101(a)(52) and the permanent 

9 partnership was not entered into for the purpose of pro10 curing the alien’s admission as an immigrant and no fee 

11 or other consideration was given (other than a fee or other 

12 consideration to an attorney for assistance in preparation 

13 of a lawful petition) for the filing of a petition under sec14 tion 204(a) or 214(d) with respect to the alien permanent 

15 partner. In accordance with regulations, there shall be 

16 only one level of administrative appellate review for each 

17 alien under the previous sentence.’’. 

18 (c) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIENS

19 PAYING FEE.—Section 245(i)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1255(i)(1)) is 

20 amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 

21 ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 

22 (d) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN

23 INFORMANTS.—Section 245(j) (8 U.S.C. 1255(j)) is 

24 amended— 

25 (1) in paragraph (1)— 


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1 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

2 after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

3 (B) by inserting ‘‘sons and daughters with 

4 and without permanent partners,’’ after 

5 ‘‘daughters,’’; and 

6 (2) in paragraph (2)— 

7 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

8 after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

9 (B) by inserting ‘‘sons and daughters with 

10 and without permanent partners,’’ after 

11 ‘‘daughters,’’. 

12 (e) TRAFFICKING.—Section 245(l)(1) is amended by 

13 inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 

14 SEC. 20. APPLICATION OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR MIS15 REPRESENTATION AND CONCEALMENT OF 

16 FACTS REGARDING PERMANENT PARTNER17 SHIPS. 

18 Section 275(c) (8 U.S.C. 1325(c)) is amended to read 

19 as follows: 

20 ‘‘(c) Any individual who knowingly enters into a mar21 riage or permanent partnership for the purpose of evading 

22 any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned 

23 for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than 

24 $250,000, or both.’’. 


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1 SEC. 21. REQUIREMENTS AS TO RESIDENCE, GOOD MORAL 

2 CHARACTER, ATTACHMENT TO THE PRIN3 CIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION. 

4 Section 316(b) (8 U.S.C. 1427(b)) is amended by in5 serting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

6 SEC. 22. NATURALIZATION FOR PERMANENT PARTNERS OF 

7 CITIZENS. 

8 Section 319 (8 U.S.C. 1430) is amended— 

9 (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘or perma10 nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; 

11 (2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘or perma12 nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marital union’’; 

13 (3) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ‘‘or per14 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

15 (4) in subsection (b)(3), by inserting ‘‘or per16 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 

17 (5) in subsection (d)— 

18 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

19 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 

20 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner21 ship’’ after ‘‘marital union’’; 

22 (6) in subsection (e)(1)— 

23 (A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 

24 after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

25 (B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner26 ship’’ after ‘‘marital union’’; and 


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1 (7) in subsection (e)(2), by inserting ‘‘or per2 manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 

3 SEC. 23. APPLICATION OF FAMILY UNITY PROVISIONS TO 

4 PERMANENT PARTNERS OF CERTAIN LIFE 

5 ACT BENEFICIARIES. 

6 Section 1504 of the LIFE Act (division B of the Mis7 cellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001, as enacted into law 

8 by section 1(a)(4) of Public Law 106–554) is amended— 

9 (1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘, PERMA10 NENT PARTNERS,’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’; 

11 (2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘, permanent 

12 partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 

13 (3) in each of subsections (b) and (c)— 

14 (A) in the subsection headings, by insert15 ing ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’ after 

16 ‘‘SPOUSES’’; and 

17 (B) by inserting ‘‘, permanent partner,’’ 

18 after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 

19 SEC. 24. APPLICATION TO CUBAN ADJUSTMENT ACT. 

20 (a) IN GENERAL.—The first section of Public Law 

21 89–732 (November 2, 1966; 8 U.S.C. 1255 note) is 

22 amended— 

23 (1) in the next to last sentence, by inserting ‘‘, 

24 permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ the first two 

25 places it appears; and 


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1 (2) in the last sentence, by inserting ‘‘, perma2 nent partners,’’ after ‘‘spouses’’. 

3 (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

4 (1) IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.—Sec5 tion 101(a)(51)(D) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(51)(D)) is 

6 amended by striking ‘‘or spouse’’ and inserting ‘‘, 

7 spouse, or permanent partner’’. 

8 (2) VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.—Section 

9 1506(c)(2)(A)(i)(IV) of the Violence Against Women 

10 Act of 2000 (8 U.S.C. 1229a note; division B of 

11 Public Law 106–386) is amended by striking ‘‘or 

12 spouse’’ and inserting ‘‘, spouse, or permanent part13 ner’’. 

Æ 


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